In a thrilling NBA In-Season Tournament quarterfinal clash, the Indiana Pacers (11-8) emerged victorious against the league-leading Boston Celtics (15-5), securing their place in the semifinals with a 122-112 win.
Tyrese Haliburton showcased his brilliance, registering the first triple-double of his career with 26 points, 13 assists, and 10 rebounds.
Haliburton’s second-half surge, along with contributions from Myles Turner (17 points, 10 rebounds) and a balanced team effort, propelled the Pacers to an unbeaten record in the tournament.
With this victory, the Pacers become the first team to advance to the inaugural tournament’s semifinal round, scheduled for Thursday in Las Vegas. They await the winner of the Tuesday matchup between the New York Knicks and the Milwaukee Bucks.
The Celtics, missing Kristaps Porzingis due to a strained left calf, showcased strong performances from Jayson Tatum (32 points, 12 rebounds) and Jaylen Brown (30 points, nine rebounds).
However, their efforts fell short as the Pacers sealed the win with a decisive 9-0 run sparked by Haliburton’s clutch play.
